Advanced manufacturing systems and technologies

Our research investigates agent-based distributed systems and their applications in the modelling, simulation, optimisation and control of complex manufacturing systems and processes. We also lead research on business agility, agile manufacturing strategies and their implementation in conjunction with lean operations.

Our current research areas are:

Modelling and simulation of manufacturing processes
Dynamically integrated manufacturing systems
Ultrasonic and laser assisted manufacturing
Machinability of bio-composites
Agility and agile strategies
Knowledge management in manufacturing companies
New business models for manufacturing SMEs.
Adoption of metal 3D printing technology, and product design for metal 3D printing
Innovation models for the utility sector
Implementing Industry 4.0 technologies

Key Academics

Academic	Title	Relevant interests
Professor Voicu Ion Sucala	Professor/ Personal Chair in Engineering Management	Modelling and simulation of manufacturing processes Lean operations Organisational analysis and adaptation to modern technologies
Dr Allen He	Lecturer in Engineering Management	Dynamically integrated manufacturing system Dynamically integrated multi-project management Agent-based modelling, simulation and decision optimisation Metal additive manufacturing
Dr Baris Yuce	Senior Lecturer in Engineering Management	Manufacturing assembly line digitalisation and industry 4.0 applications ie sensory based system development, monitoring and control technologies Cloud ERP solutions and integration with other digitalised platforms
Dr Wei Zhang	Lecturer in Production and Manufacturing Systems	Human-centred sustainable engineering design, manufacturing, and management in alignment with Industry 5.0 Advanced digital twinning technologies and bio-inspired intelligence applications within systems engineering Computational inverse technologies under uncertainty for understanding behaviours of materials and structures
Dr Asela Kulatunga	Lecturer in Industrial Systems	Systems thinking towards complex problems of Sustainable Manufacturing Modelling and Simulation of Manufacturing Processes Design and Development of Decision Support systems Process Sustainability Life Cycle Engineering & Product Life Cycle Management Digital Twining of Manufacturing processes Manufacturing Plant Layout Designs

Projects

3D&FPP - Integrating Metal 3D Printing & Flexible Post Processing (Dr Allen He)

The EU 3D&FPP project aims to develop a flexible, efficient and affordable retrofit post processing solution for metal 3D printing via integrating four main production processes: clamping, scanning, polishing and CAD/CAM-systems. For parts with features requiring CNC machining after 3D printing, due to thermal distortion in the printing process, the original coordinate basis and CNC code will be subject to change. The solution developed through the project consists of a validated algorithm embedded in a cloud-based compiler which is able to map the object and its orientation from the scanned model of the built part with the original design model, calculate the transformation matrix and adjust the CNC-code automatically. The FPP solution was successfully validated and demonstrated using user products. This has resulted in cost reduction of 26% on the total production costs and 15% on postprocessing, based on a mirror product. The approach is evaluated at Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL).

Sustainable cementitious materials design via generative artificial intelligence towards carbon neutrality, Royal Society International Exchange,12/2024-12/2026 (PI: Jingchao Jiang)

This project aims to address the challenge of enhancing the sustainability of the construction sector by designing sustainable cementitious materials with generative artificial intelligence (AI). Traditional methods for mixture design are often time-consuming and costly due to experimental trial and error. To overcome these limitations, this research proposes a data-driven approach integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This research aims to provide a novel AI-BIM-LCA platform for inverse design and sustainability optimization of cementitious materials incorporated with local waste, with a focus on enhancing mechanical performance and reducing environmental impact during the design stage of construction projects.

Robotics in manufacturing for sustainability, EPSRC UK-RAS NetworkPlus grant, 12/2024-12/2025 (PI: Jingchao Jiang, Martino Luis, and Ion Sucala)

This project aims to provide a platform to bring together researchers to establish an interest group on “Robotics in manufacturing for sustainability” to support ECRs and networking.